Australia has named a 13-member squad for IND vs AUS 1st Test of Border-Gavaskar series against India, featuring new faces in the team led by veteran Pat Cummins. Uncapped Nathan McSweeney will open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja in IND vs AUS Perth Test. In addition to McSweeney, Josh Inglis was also granted his maiden Test call-up.
Nathan McSweeney, captain of Australia A squad, earned his first call-up to the national team following a series of strong performances. His selection was highlighted by a standout innings of 88 runs in the first unofficial Test against India A.
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Who is Nathan McSweeney?
Nathan McSweeney is set to make his debut in IND vs AUS Perth Test, opening the batting alongside Usman Khawaja. While Josh Inglis has also been included, it seems unlikely that he will feature in the playing XI.
India faced a 0-2 defeat in recently-concluded India A's tour of Australia, which featured a two-match Test series. McSweeney played a crucial role in Australia's success and was brilliant with the bat throughout the series, scoring 166 runs in four innings at an average of 55.33.
Nathan McSweeney, who also bowls off-breaks, plays for South Australia and has made impressive strides in first-class cricket. The 25-year-old has accumulated 2,252 runs in first-class matches, with an average of 38.16, including six centuries and 12 fifties. In List-A cricket, McSweeney has scored 845 runs at an average of 42.25, with one century and eight fifties from 22 matches.
With the ball, he has claimed 18 wickets in First-Class cricket, 7 in List-A matches, and 4 wickets in T20s.
Australia's squad for IND vs AUS 1st Test in Perth: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.